Weft replenishing loom structure



y 1935. W.E. LUNDGREN 2,000,969

WEFT REPLENISHING LOOM STRUCTURE Filed May 26, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 1ORNFY May 14, 1935.

w. E. LUNDGREN 2,000,969

WEFT REPLENISHINGLOOM STRUCTURE Filed May 26, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2IQENTO v ORNEY BY M May 14, 1935.- w. E. LUNDGREN WEFT REPLENISHING LOOMSTRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May :26, 1933 INVENT R BY H %ORNEYPatented May 14, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT oFHcE William E. Lundgren,Auburn, Mass, assignor, by mesne assignments, of one-half to Sutton Tool(30., Inc., Wilkinsonville, Mass.,

of Massachusetts a corporation Application May 26, 1933, Serial No.672,936

13 Claims.

This invention relates 'to an improved weft replenishing loom structureand more particularly to certain novel combinations and arrangements ofparts in a weft replenishing loom of the stationary magazine type foreffecting the appropriate tensiom'ng of the weft thread with certointyand in such a manner as to render the same efiective immediately aftertransfer.

In the use of weft replenishing looms of the stationary magazine type,as heretofore employed, it has been the practice to provide stationarymagazines having one or more compartments, each provided with a supportand release mechanism for permitting the release of a. bobbin formovement into position for transfer from one or another of saidcompartments, dependent upon I the color desired, through the actuationof suitable selector means controlling the operation of the releasemechanism. In this as in other types of replenishing looms as heretoforeemployed, however, it has been impossible to provide a suitable andappropriate tensioning of the weft thread immediately after transfer insuch a manner as to insure adequate and uniform tension on the firstpick after transfer. This failure to provide adequate means fortensioning the weft thread immediately aftertransfer to the shuttle hasresulted in serious imperfections in certain classes of woven fabricssuch as are adapted to be formed on looms of this character.

One object of the invention is the provision in a loom structure of thischaracter of means for employing a positive tensioning member inassociation with a transferable bobbin, together with means forutilizing the same as replenishable elements in connection with theusual replenishable shuttles.

Another object of the invention is the provi-,

sion in a loom structure of this character of as- ...sociated magazinecompartments for receiving bobbins and tension members in such a manneras to retain each bobbin in operative relation with its associatedtension member or vice versa, together with means for permitting themovement of each bobbin and its associated tension member into positionfor transfer to a shuttle.

A further object of the invention is the proviguide members arranged insuch relationship to each other as to furnish means for guiding a bobbinand its associated tension member into position for transfer to ashuttle while maintain ing them in operative relation to each other.

A further object of the invention is the provision in a loom structureof this character of magazine and supply mechanism for furnishing abobbin and associated tension member in operatlve relation to each otherinto position for transfer to a shuttle upon the operation of suitableselector mechanism, together with means for effecting the transfer ofthe bobbin and tension member to the shuttle substantiallysimultaneously.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relate to various improveddetails of construction and novel arrangements of the parts as will bemore fully set forth in the detailed description to follow.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a top plan view of a shuttle of the type employed inreplenishing looms, illustrating the position and arrangement therein ofa bobbin and tension member separately mounted and located in operativeposition within the shuttle,

Fig.2 is a. top plan view, partially in section of a replenishableshuttle, showing a bobbin and a tension device associated therewith insuch a manner as to be carried by the bobbin on its insertion within orejection from the shuttle,

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view partially in section, of a portion ofa loom of the stationary magazine type, showing a part of amulti-compartment magazine, together with the relation of the severalcompartments to guide means for guiding associated bobbin and tensionmembers into position for transfer to a shuttle, and the relativeposition and mode of operation of the transfer member,

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the multicompartment magazine,taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, illustrating therelative form and location of associated bobbin and tension membercompartments relative.to each other, as well as one arrangement ofseveral sets of associated bobbin and tension member compartments,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the stationary magazine inits relation to the guide means, transfer mechanism and transferablebobbin and tension member, as well as the position and arrangement ofcertain of the parts in effecting transfer to a shuttle,

Fig. 6 is a detail view, partially in section, taken substantially alongthe line t-s of Fig. 5, and

showing the guide members for guiding the base portion of a bobbin intoposition for transfer.

Fig. 7 is a detail view, partially in section, taken substantially alongthe line 'l| of Fig. 5, and showing the guide members for guiding thetip of the bobbin into position for transfer,

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of one of the combined rocking support andrelease members for supporting associated bobbins and tension membersand effecting their release for transfer at the appropriate point in theloom operation, and,

Fig. 9 is an end elevational view of the same. In that form of loomstructure illustrated herein, designates a portion of the side frame ofa conventional type of replenishable loom,

having a lay beam 2 provided with a stationary shuttle box 3 locatedupon one end thereof and arranged in operative relation with astationary magazine 4. The magazine 4 and its associated mechanism maybe supported from a suitable bracket member 5 carried by a part of theside frame and properly arranged with relation to certain of theoperating parts of the loom mechanism for actuation thereby atappropriate periods in the formation of the weave, as will be understoodby those skilled in the art.

The magazine as shown herein, consists oi. plates 1, 8 and 9 suitablyspaced from each other, and supported in spaced relation with each otherby bars I0 and II, to which they maybe fixedly and adjustably secured bybolts l2 and, or other suitable fastening means. One or more of theconnecting bars l0 and II may be formed integral with or secured to thebracket'5 in any suitable manner. The spaced plates 1,18 and 8 are eachprovided with suitably-positioned vertical ribs |6, |1 and I8,cooperating to form a series of asso ciated compartments, which in thepresent case are four in number and. are designated by the referencecharacters 20, 2|, 22 and 23. 'Each of these associated compartments, asshown, corn prises a bobbin chamber 26 and a tension member chamber 21,the bobbin chamber and tension member chamber in each case being soarranged relativeto each other as to hold a plurality of bobbins andassociated tension members in vertical columns with each bobbin and itsassociated tension member arranged in operative relation with each otherin such a manner as to be capable of release substantiallysimultaneously preliminary to their movement into position for transfer.The plates 8 and 9 are provided with vertical slots 30 and 3|respectively, located between adjacent ribs I! and I8, the slots 30connecting the bobbin chamber 26 and tension member chamber 21 formingeach of the associated compartments 20, 2|, 22, and 23. The provision ofthe slots 30 and 3| permits passage of the weft end from each bobbin toits associated tension member and from thence to the thread holdingplate 32, and also allows the escape of the weft end from the magazinewithout injury or breakage upon release of a bobbin and its associatedtension member.

.A combined rocking support and release member 35 is mounted below andin operative relationship with each set of associated compartments, andmay be provided with a supporting shaft 3E mounted in a suitable bearingin. the plate lfor actuation by appropriate selector means through apart of the loom mechanism. The member 35 comprises a portion 31 adaptedto engage and support the base of a bobbin, a bobbin tip holder '38 anda pair of arms 39 shaped to provide a filling replenishment. I videdwith an opening 62 extending therethrough ing a tension member. Theseveral rocking support and release members 35 are each mounted inoperative relation with one of the associated compartments 20, 2| and 22and 23, and are adapted for operation at suitable points in theformation of the weave to release an associated bobbin and tensionmember for movement into position for transfer.

Downwardly converging guide members 40 and M are located beneath and inoperative relation with those portions of the associated compartmentslocated adjacent to the plate I to receive and guide the base of eachbobbin into position for transfer upon its release by movement of one ofthe members 35, and similarly arranged guide members 42, t3 and 44, arelocated beneath and in operative relation with those portions of theassociated compartment located adjacent to the plates 8 and 9 to receiveand guide the tips of the respective bobbins and the tension membersrespectively to a position for transfer upon their release by one of themembers 35. The guide members 40, 4| and 42, 43 and 44, 45 all convergedownwardly and may be resiliently held on pivotal supports 46, by one ormore coiled springs 48, to retain an associated bobbin and tensionmember in alignment with each other above and in appropriate positionfor transfer to a replenishable shuttle upon actuation of a transfermember 50, asshown in Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawings.

The transfer member may be pivotally supported from the frame 5, as at52, and provided with fork portions 53 and 54 for engagement with thebobbin and tension member respectively to effect their transfer from theguide members to the shuttle substantially simultaneously. The transformember 50 is provided with 2. depending arm 56 which is pivotallyconnected as at 51, with a trip 58, notched at its active face 59, toengage a dagger Gll'on the lay beam 2 upon indication of The lay beam 2is proand positioned to register with the recess in the shuttle bodywhen the shuttle is in replenishing position to permit the ejection of aused bobbin and tension member to a suitable receptacle (not shown),upon transfer.

The type of loom shuttle shown herein is of conventional form in so faras it consists of the usual shuttle body 65 provided with an opening 66extending entirely therethrough to permit the automatic insertion of abobbin upon one side of the shuttle body and its automatic ejection fromthe other after a manner well known in devices of this character. Theloom shuttle 65, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, is provided atopposite ends thereof with yielding holding jaws 61 having suitablegrooves or depressions 68 formed upon their inner surfaces for receivingthe usual circular ribs 69 carried by the base 10 of the bobbin II, aswell as for receiving similar ribs 12 carried by a separate tensionmember 13.

As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, one form of theinvention'comprehends the use of a bobbin 1|, the base I0 of which isengaged by one set of opposed holding jaws 61 after the usual manner,while its associated tension member 13 is mounted in separated relationwith and spaced from the tip I4 of the bobbin spindle, and is similarlypositioned within and held by the set of opposed holding jaws 61 locatedwithin the opposite end of the opening 66 formed in the shuttle body.The detailed construction and arrangement of the bobbin and tensionmember, as well as the specific form of construction and arrangement ofthe parts of the tension member are more particularly set forth in mycopending application Serial No. 664,854, to which reference is made fora more detailed description thereof.

In that form of bobbin and tension member, as shown in Fig. 2 of thedrawings, the shuttle body 65 is similar in all respects to that shownin Fig. 1, and is similarly provided with an opening 66 extendingentirely therethrough to permit the automatic insertion and ejection ofa bobbin, as is well known in devices of this character. The shuttle isprovided with a pair of opposed holding jaws 76 located adjacent to oneend thereof, each of which has suitable grooves or depressions. l8formed in the inner faces thereof for receiving circular ribs l9 carriedby the base portion 86 of the bobbin 8i A circular rib or enlargement 82is located upon the base portion til of the bobbin for engagement withsuitable grooves 83 formed in the split resilient end portion M of acylindrical shell 85, which is so formed as to fit over the spindleportion of the bobbin and have the split resilient portions 8t engageover the rib 82 for holding the shell in position upon the bobbin.

A tension device to is mounted within the opposite end portion of theshell 85 and may comprise tensioning members ill arranged in staggeredrelation for imparting tension to the weft end 88 carried by the bobbin.Aligned openings 89 and 90 are provided in the tension device 86 for thepassage of the weft end from the bobbin to the tension device and fromthe tension device for incorporation into the fabric. A more detaileddescription and showing of the parts of the bobbin 8 l shell 85 andtension member 8% making up the combined bobbin and tension member 92 iscontained in my copending application Serial No. 664,854, to whichreference is made.

In effecting the transfer of the bobbin and tension member to and fromthe shuttle body with that form and arrangement of bobbin and associatedtension member as shown in either Figs. 1 or 2 of the drawings, I haveprovided certain novel means and arrangements of mechanism forsupporting these members in replenishing positon and for effecting theirtransfer'to the shuttle body while they are maintained in suitableoperative relation with each other to insure a proper functioning of theparts immediately after transfer and avoid any tendency which might bepresent for distortion or disarrangement of the bobbin and tensionmember relative to each other, either during the act of transfer or asthey may be positioned within the shuttle body after transfer. In orderto accomplish this purpose effectively, the guide members 40, 4! and d2,43 may be provided with suitable edge flanges 94 and 95 respectively,which serve to provide with the guide members a complete guideway foreach bobbin from its point of release to its transfer position. In alike manner, the tension guides M, 45 may be provided with flanges 96located on opposite sides thereof and so spaced from each other as tofurnish a guide channel of suitable width for transferring a tensionmember from its point of release to its point of transfer withoutpermitting its displacement relative to the bobbin.

When a bobbin and its asociated tension memher are brought into positionfor transfer to a shuttle, as shown in Fig. of the drawings, they aremaintained in transfer position by the resiliently supported guides 40,M, 2, 43, M and 55 until such time as transfer is indicated, when theyare forced downwardly substantially simultaneously by operation of thetransfer member '58 to force the exhausted bobbin and its tension memberout of the shuttle body, as shown in Fig. 5, and force the full bobbinand tension member into engagement with the yielding jaws mounted in theshuttle body. Upon discharge of the exhausted bobbin and itsassociatedtension memher, the weft end 91 carried thereby is severed and iscarried away by the discharged bobbin and tension member, thuspreventing it from being drawn into the shed on movement of thereplenish shuttle. as the full bobbin and its tension member areinserted into the shuttle, with the weft end 98 carried thereby securedto the thread holder 32 as is usual in the transfer of full bobbins.

In that form of the invention illustrated herein the magazine structureis as shown particularly adapted for use in connection with a separatebobbin and tension member such as is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.The magazine, however, is capable of being employed in connection with acombined bobbin and tension member of the type shown in Fig. 2 of thedrawings by eliminating the outer plate ii of the magazine, and spacingthe plates l and 8 from each other a somewhat greater distance than thatshown in Fig. 4, to accommodate the combined bobbin and tension member9% therebetween.

In making such change the tension member guides M and it may be omitted,and the guides i2 and t3 set at a greater distance from the guides toand M. In making these changes, modified supporting and release membersmay be substituted for the supporting and release members 35. As a meansfor rendering these changes readily effective without basic change inthe magazine mechanism and associated parts, the opposed guide members40, 42, M and M, 43, it may be adjustably mounted upon bars, located inparallel relation with each other and upon opposite sides of thereplenishable shuttle by set screws.

or similar means, so that the tension member guides 44 and 45 may beremoved readily and the relative location of the guides 40, 42 and M, 43changed to conform with the over-all length of the combined bobbin andtension member 92.

In either form of the invention it is to be understood that the bobbinemployed is a replenishable bobbin having a portion provided with meansadapted for direct engagement with or separation from the usual or anysuitable form of holding means carried by the shuttle body for permitingdirect insertion or ejection of the bobbin into or out of weft threadsupporting position within the shuttle, and that wherever the termsbobbin or replenishable bobbin occurs in the specification or claims itrefers to a replenishable bobbin of the type above described.

What I claim is:--

1. In a weft replenishing loom of the stationary magazine type, ashuttle, a plurality of transferable bobbins and separate tensionmembers, means for supporting each bobbin and its associated tensionmember in axial alignment with each other while the several bobbins andtension members are supported in superposed relation with each other,means for releasing one of said bobbins and its associated tensionmember to permit movement of said bobbin and its associated tensionmember into position for transfer while retaining them in operativerelationship with each other, and means for transferring said bobbin andits associated tension member to the shuttle substantiallysimultaneously.

2. In a weft replenishing loom of the stationary magazine type, ashuttle, a plurality of transferable bobbins and separate tensionmembers, vertical compartments spaced from each other for supporting aplurality of said bobbins and tension members in positions of axialalignment with each other, means for releasing one of said bobbins andits associated tension member from said compartments simultaneously,means for guiding said bobbin and its associated tension member fromtheir released positions to their transfer positions, and means fortransferring said bobbin and its associated tension member to theshuttle substantially simultaneously.

3. In a weft replenishing loom of the stationary magazine type, aplurality oftransfer-- able bobbins and associated tension members, amagazine section for bobbins having a plurality of chambers, anauxiliary magazine for tension members having a plurality of chamberscorrespending with the number of the bobbin chambers and arranged incooperative relationship therewith, means for supporting a bobbin andtension member in aligned position within each set of associatedchambers, a replenishable shuttle, and means common to two or more setsof said chambers for guiding a bobbin and its associated tension memberfromany one of said chambers into mutually aligned positions above saidshuttle and retaining them in such positions pending transfer to theshuttle.

4. In a weft replenishing loom of the stationary magazine type, aplurality of separate bobbins and their associated tension members, amagazine provided with aligned chambers for receiving said bobbins andtension members respectively, means for supporting the bobbins andtension members in two of said aligned chambers movable to release abobbin and its associated tension member substantially simultaneously toallow movement of the bobbin and its associated ment with its associatedtension member, said supporting means being movable to release one ofsaid bobbins and its associated tension member, a replenishable shuttle,separate means for guiding said bobbin and its associated tension memberupon release by said supporting means into position for transfer to theshuttle, and for retaining them in mutually aligned positions pendingtransfer to the shuttle.

6. In a weft replenishing loom, a magazine provided with a plurality ofvertical bobbin chambers and a plurality of vertical chambers arrangedin cooperative relationship with said bobbin chambers for the receptionof tension members, a plurality of bobbins and associated tensionmembers arranged in operative relationship with each other and locatedin said chambers, means for releasing a bobbin and its cooperativelyarranged tension member from asso-v 'cia'ted chambers substantiallysimultaneously to allow said bobbin and tension member to move intoposition for transfer to a shuttle, a shuttle, means for guiding saidbobbin and tension member into position for transfer and means fortransferring said bobbin and tension member to the shuttle substantiallysimultaneously.

7. In a weft replenishing loom, a replenishable shuttle, a magazineprovided with a compartment for supporting a plurality of bobbins andtheir associated tension members in operative relation with each other,one or more bobbins and associated tension members mounted in saidcompartment, a support for the bobbins and tension members movable topermit substantially simultaneous movement of one of said bobbins andits associated tension member into position for transfer to the shuttle,means for supporting said bobbing and tension member in transferposition relative to the shuttle, and means for moving said bobbin andits tension member from their transfer positions into said shuttlesubstantially simultaneously.

8. In a weft replenishing loom of the stationary magazine type, verticalchambers located in a common plane and arranged in juxtaposition witheach other for supporting a plurality of bobbins and associated tensionmembers in aligned positions relative to each other, a plurality ofbobbins and associated tension members supported in said chambers, forintermittent vertical movement, said chambers being provided withvertical openings arranged substantially axially of said bobbins andtheir associated tension members, and a thread holder located outwardlyof said tension member supporting chamber, whereby a weft thread carriedby a bobbin may extend through an associated tension member and besecured to said thread holder and be retained in unbroken relation withsaid bobbin, tension member and thread holder during movement of thebobbin and tension member within said chambers.

9. In a weft replenishing loom of the stationary magazine type, verticalchambers arranged in juxtaposition with each other for supporting aplurality of bobbins and associated tension members in aligned positionsrelative to each other, a plurality of bobbins and associated tensionmembers located in said chambers for intermittent vertical movement,guide members for guiding said bobbins and their associated tensionmembers from said chambers to a position for transfer to a shuttle,means for releasing one of said bobbins and its associated tensionmember from said chambers for movement to a position of transfer at apredetermined point in the operation of the loom, said chambers beingprovided with vertical openings arranged substantially axially of saidbobbins and associated tension members, a thread holder locatedoutwardly of said tension member supporting chamber, whereby a weftthread carried by a bobbin may extend through an associated tensionmember and be secured to said thread holder and retained in unbrokenrelation with said bobbin, tension member and thread holder duringvertical movement of the bobbin and tension member within said chambersand their movement to a position of transfer to a shuttle.

10. In a weft replenishing loom, a vertical magazine, a bobbin andtension member carried by said magazine, supporting means for saidbobbin and tension member movable to permit intermittent movement ofsaid'bobbin and tension member downwardly of said magazine and theirdischarge therefrom while constantly occupying a substantially fixedrelation with each other, and

aoo oeo resiliently supported guide means for guiding said bobbin andtension member into position for transfer to a shuttle after theirdischarge from said magazine, a replenishable shuttle, and means foreffecting the transfer of said bobbin and tension member from transferposition to said shuttle substantially simultaneously.

11. In a weft replenishing loom, a vertical magazine, a bobbin and aseparate, self-contained tension member carried by said magazine inaxially spaced relation with each other, a replenishable shuttle adaptedto be maintained in operative relation with said magazine during thetransfer of a bobbin and tension member to the shuttle, and means fortransferring said bobbin and its tension member from said magazine tosaid shuttle while maintaining them in aligned spaced relation with eachother during the transfer.

12. In a weft replenishing loom of the stationary magazine type, areplenishable shuttle, spaced plate members forming vertical bobbinreceiving chambers, a plate member cooperating with one of said firstnamed plate members to form vertical chambers arranged in cooperativerelation with said first named chambers, means for supporting said platemembers in adjusted relation with each other, a plurality oftransferable bobbins and associated tension members carried by saidfirst named and said second named chambers respectively, means forreleasing a bobbin and its associated tension member from coop.- eratingchambers, and means for guiding said bobbin and tension member aftertheir release into position for transfer to the shuttle and forretaining said bobbin and its associated tension member in transferposition pending transfer to the shuttle.

13. In a weft replenishing loom of the stae tionary magazine type, areplenishable shuttle, spaced plate members forming verticalbobbinreceiving chambers, a plate member cooperating with one of said firstnamed plate members to form vertical chambers arranged in cooperativerelation with said first named chambers, means for supporting said platemembers in spaced relation with each other, a plurality of transferablebobbins and associated tension members carried by said first named andsecond named chambers respectively, means for releasing a bobbin andits.

